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THE 5R’S
FOR DESIGNERS OF
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Luca Magarò
luca@vivodesign.it
@lucamagaro
SO, WHAT IS
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN?
Sustainable design is the intention to reduce or
completely eliminate negative environmental impacts
through thoughtful designs.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
THE 3R’S RULE
REDUCE
REUSE
RECYCLE
COOL, BUT WHEN IT
COMES TO DESIGN?
“Designers actually have more potential to slow
environmental degradation than economic scholars,
politicians, businesses and even environmentalists. The
power of design is catalytic. Once a new, more
environmentally benign design penetrates markets, its
beneficial effects multiply. Businesses spend less on raw
materials and production and thus realize better profits,
users enjoy more efficient, better-valued products,
governments reduce spending on regulatory
enforcement and the net gain is an improved
environment and quality of life.”
The Eco-Design Handbook, Alastair Faud-Luke
THE 5 R’S
REDUCE
As designers, we have an important role in how resources
are used to produce goods. The first step towards
sustainable design is to reduce what can be reduced, in
terms of materials and energy consumption.
“Waste is a design flaw”
Sophie Thomas
REDUCE
REDUCE
PUMA - The clever bag
REDUCE
PUMA - The clever bag
REUSE
Creative reuse, also known as upcycling or
repurposing, is the process of taking materials or products
that are unwanted for their original function and, through
creativity, transforming them into pieces of art, home
decoration, or other useful items.
REUSE
Freitag
REUSE
Project RE_ by Samuel Bernier
REPAIR
The act of repairing, to restore to a good or sound
condition after decay or damage. Repair can be an act of
design.
Behance Portfolio Review #9 - Roma - The 5R’S For Designers of Sustainable Design
REPAIR
Platform21
REPAIR
Réanim - 5.5 Designers
REPAIR
Réanim - 5.5 Designers
REPAIR
Réanim - 5.5 Designers
RECYCLE
Designers (and companies) should use recycled
materials and design products that can be easily
recycled.
RECYCLE
Emeco
RECYCLE
Emeco
RECYCLE
Emeco
RECYCLE
Emeco
RECYCLE
Emeco
RECYCLE
Green Toys
RECYCLE
Dirk Vander Kooij
Precious Plastic
RECYCLERECYCLE
Precious Plastic
RECYCLE
Precious Plastic
RETHINK
Because sometimes you just have to start from scratch.
RETHINK
Apple - Unibody
RETHINK
Dyson Airblade
Other times, you should step back and look at the big
picture, because you may find that what we need to
design is not a new car, but a new paradigm of
transportation.
RETHINK
Velib’
THANK YOU
Luca Magarò
@lucamagaro
luca@vivodesign.it

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Behance Portfolio Review #9 - Roma - The 5R’S For Designers of Sustainable Design